Contemporary Raku is a complete guide to this exciting, dramatic and beautiful art form. It explains the making, glazing and firing methods employed for producing Raku-ware, and features contributions and insights from leading makers. Recognizing the deeper values of the practice, the book also considers the influences and sources of inspiration behind the work of these makers. It introduces the necessary tools and equipment, and advises on essential health and safety measures. It explains how to make vessels and forms with step-by-step photo sequences. Recipes for clay bodies and glazes for the beginner and the more experienced maker are included. Details are given on the Raku-firing process and the range of kilns used. Finally, it explores the practice of 'Naked Raku'. With over 300 illustrations, it is a stunning and detailed account to this magical process.
Covers such topics as the history and philosophy of raku, types of clay, forming techniques, firing, glazes and decoration. Types of kilns and kiln construction are also fully explained and the book includes a gallery of works from around the world along with updated clay and glaze recipes.
The origins of raku can be traced back hundreds of years to Japan, where it was used as the traditional method of creating clay bowls for the tea ceremony. Over the years, potters have embraced and adapted these methods, celebrating the remarkable but unpredictable results achieved using raku techniques. Irene Poulton, who has specialized in raku firing for over 20 years, considers the origins of raku before offering 300 glaze recipes. A selection of other potters also share their ideas. With 100 color photos of raku-fired pieces, this is an outstanding source of information and inspiration for all potters.
Handmade Culture is the first comprehensive and cohesive study in any language to examine Raku, one of Japan’s most famous arts and a pottery technique practiced around the world. More than a history of ceramics, this innovative work considers four centuries of cultural invention and reinvention during times of both political stasis and socioeconomic upheaval. It combines scholarly erudition with an accessible story through its lively and lucid prose and its generous illustrations. The author’s own experiences as the son of a professional potter and a historian inform his unique interdisciplinary approach, manifested particularly in his sensitivity to both technical ceramic issues and theoretical historical concerns. Handmade Culture makes ample use of archaeological evidence, heirloom ceramics, tea diaries, letters, woodblock prints, and gazetteers and other publications to narrate the compelling history of Raku, a fresh approach that sheds light not only on an important traditional art from Japan, but on the study of cultural history itself.
In Raku: Investigations into Fire, David Jones examines contemporary work in the light of the three hundred and fifty year old aesthetic that led to its development. He demonstrates how this can still inform current expression. This book explores the movements of though and the transmission of knowledge across continents as the sparse details concerning this seductive technique were communicated. The processes characteristic of Raku particularly crackle and lustre development are examined and explained. Culminating in a questioning analysis of the contribution made by Raku to current practical and philosophical explorations into nature of clay and fire, this book is lavishly illustrated with images of new work and experiments with flame. AUTHOR: David Jones is currently a senior lecturer in the ceramics department at the University of Wolverhampton. His Raku fired ceramics have been exhibited and are in collections in Europe, Japan and USA. He is a fellow of the Craft Potters' Assoc. 200 colour photos
Raku is an ancient ceramics technique enjoying a modern-day renaissance. This groundbreaking new entry in the highly successful 500 series demonstrates the vitality and invention of today's raku ceramics. Objects including cups, plates, bowls, vases, and statuary contribute to this international gallery of work juried by Jim Romberg, one of the leading practitioners and teachers of raku in the world."
You'll trace the history of Raku, from its Japanese origins through its introduction to the West, and delve into the techniques used by 50 contemporary Raku potters from around the world in this absorbing profile. Includes finished pieces, lavishly depicted in more than 170 photos.
The essential guide to raku techniques, covering clay types, glazes, kilns, firing methods and reduction processes.Over the last thirty years interest in the raku pottery technique has grown hugely - the excitement, immediacy and unpredictability of the raku process catching and firing the imagination of professional and amateur potters alike. Despite its association with amateur pottery classes, when practised at a higher level, it is an unforgiving, demanding medium which tests pots and potters to the limit. The famous Japanese potter Hamada said that he wanted to wait until the end of his life before making raku pots as it was the most difficult and important technique to master. A growing number of potters have turned to this medium however, as a serious expression of their work, finding new (or perhaps old) and varied techniques to explore, and thriving on the opportunities provided by the raku process to transform accidents and mistakes into new techniques or innovative pieces. This new edition of Raku has new text and is beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout with an almost totally new selection of images from the work of the many highly-regarded raku potters featured. As in the previous edition, an important focus of the book is the exploration of the work, inspiration and influences of some sixty-five artists. The gallery of artists featured has been greatly updated and expanded to reflect new techniques by established raku potters and also the work of more recent converts to the medium. New entries include Toshio Ohi, Maika Korfmacher, Yasuo Terada, Marvin Sweet, John Wheeldon, Maila Klementinnen, Ashraf and Sue Hanna and Justin Novak to name but a few. This also remains a highly practical book for the practicing potter, providing a fresh and comprehensive overview of raku techniques, covering clay types, glazes, kilns, firing methods and reduction processes. It also provides recipes for clays and glazes used by the potters featured. A history of raku is also included following its inception in Japan at the end of the 16th century to its introduction to the West by Bernard Leach up until the present day. Those exciting early years are vividly brought to life with anecdotes from David Leach. Raku provides all the essential practical information you need to start raku firing. It is also a great source of inspiration for potters and of delight for those interested in contemporary ceramics.
